Can I register to vote in Arlington?
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen, your home is in Virginia , and you are 18 or older. If you will be 18 by the next general election, you can register when you are 17. You must first have your voting rights restored if you have been convicted of a felony, or if you have been declared mentally incapacitated by a circuit court. [top]

 When can I register?
You can register at any time. To vote in a general or primary election, you must register at least 22 days prior to the election. [top]

 Where can I register?
You can register in person at the Office of Voter Registration, at specially-scheduled registration sites, at the Department of Motor Vehicles, or at many other local and state social service agencies. [top]

 Can I register by mail?
Yes, you can register by mailing the registration application. Applications may be downloaded or are available at all Arlington County libraries, post offices, recreation centers, and public schools, as well as most government offices and information centers. Or, you can contact the Office of Voter Registration (703.228.3456 or via email) and ask to have an application sent to you. [top]

 What information do I need to register?
You must provide under penalty for false statements your full legal name and current residence address, your social security number, your date of birth, and the address of your most recent voter registration. [top]

 Do I have to state my political party preference?
No, Virginia does not have registration by political party. [top]

 Do I have to register for each election?
No, your registration remains valid unless you change your address. [top]

 What should I do if I move or change my name after I register?
If you have moved within Virginia or changed your name, notify the Office of Voter Registration of your new address or new name, in writing. Or, stop by the Office of Voter Registration or any registration site and complete a new application form. You can also download the application form, or, if you have moved within Arlington, a change of address form. Once you complete the new application, or the registrar receives notice of your address or name change, you will be sent a new registration card with your new polling place information.

If you have moved outside of Virginia , you are no longer eligible to vote in Virginia , and you must register to vote in your new state. [top]

 Can I transfer my registration from another state to Virginia ?
No, you must register to vote in Virginia , and your previous registration will be cancelled. [top]

 Where will I vote?
After you register to vote, the registrar will send you a voter information card. The card will tell you the name of your precinct and the address of your polling place. You must vote in the precinct where you live. [top]

 Can I change my polling place? I have to vote several blocks away, but other people vote at a school closer to my house.
No, you must vote at the polling place assigned to your precinct. Precinct boundaries are based on Census block boundaries, which in turn are based on defined street or geographical boundaries. A Census block is usually comprised of one or more streeted residential or commercial blocks, and precincts typically are comprised of multiple Census blocks. Sometimes, a precinct boundary runs right down the center of a street.

In an ideal world, polling places would be centrally located within a precinct's boundaries. But because of the lack of available facilities in some areas of the County, this isn't always possible. Sometimes we even have to designate a polling place outside of a precinct's boundaries because there are no other suitable facilities. We need a location that is open to the public and handicapped accessible, and that is available to accommodate the precinct's voters on all Election Days. Whenever possible, we try to locate polling places in public facilities such as schools or recreation centers.

Virginia law requires voters to vote at the polling place designated for the precinct in which they live. Although another polling place may be closer to your house, we cannot change your voting location. [top]

 When are the polls open?
The polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. each Election Day. If you are waiting in line when the polls close, you will be allowed to vote. [top]

 Do I Have to Show ID to Register or Vote?
All Virginia voters are required to show ID when they go to the polls or vote an absentee ballot in person. The most common forms of identification, a valid Virginia driver's license or a voter information card, are acceptable for all voters. For most voters in most elections, if you forget to bring your ID to the polls, you can still vote after you sign a simple form affirming your identity.

If, however, you are registering to vote by mail for the first time in Virginia, federal law requires you to include a copy of your ID with your application. If you fail to do so, your record will be flagged so the election officers know to ask to see your ID the first time you vote in a federal election. The reason for flagging your record is because the federal ID requirements are slightly different than those for all other Virginia voters. Voters subject to showing ID the first time they vote in federal elections cannot sign an affirmation of identity in lieu of showing ID. They will, however, be able to vote a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are not counted on Election Day. The day after the election, the Electoral Board votes to determine the validity of provisional ballots cast, and they will then tabulate any provisional ballots accepted.

Sound confusing? It is, a bit. The best thing for most voters to remember is to bring ID to the polls. For all voters, either a valid Virginia driver's license or a Virginia voter information card are acceptable forms of ID, although others are also acceptable.

For voters not subject to the federal ID requirement during federal elections, and for all voters during non-federal elections, acceptable forms of ID are:

• Valid Virginia driver's license
• Virginia voter information card
• Social Security card
• Any ID issued by the governments of the U.S., Virginia, or any Virginia locality
• An employer ID with photo

Voters subject to the federal ID requirements must present, the first time they vote in a federal election:

• Current and valid photo ID (includes a Virginia driver's license)
• Current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck
• Current government-issued document that shows voter's name and address (includes a Virginia voter information card)

The above federal requirements only apply to affected voters the first time they vote in a general or primary federal election (President and Vice President, U.S. Senate, or Congress). Thereafter, they are subject to the same ID requirements as the majority of Virginia voters. [top]

 When are general elections?
General elections are held in Arlington each year on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November. [top]

 What is a party primary?
The Democratic and Republican parties can choose their candidates for the November general elections by either a primary or a party meeting, sometimes also called a canvass or caucus. If the party chooses a primary, it will be held on the second Tuesday in June. In Presidential Election years, party primaries for the office of President may be held on the second Tuesday in February. [top]

 Can anyone vote in primary elections?
If you are a registered voter, you can vote in any primary election held in your precinct. If both parties are holding primaries in your precinct, you can only vote in one party's primary. [top]

 What is a special election?
Special elections are those held for offices or questions not regularly scheduled for an election. They may take place at the same time as a general election, or may be held at other times during the year. [top]

 What do I do if I won't be able to go to the polls on Election Day?
If you are a registered voter and must be out of town on Election Day, or if you cannot go to the polls because of physical illness or disability, you are eligible to vote by absentee ballot. [top]

 Who may vote by absentee ballot?
Registered voters who are absent from Arlington or unable to go to their polling places on Election Day may vote absentee. Acceptable reasons include:

• Students at institutions of higher learning, and their spouses
• Absence for business purposes (includes persons employed outside of Arlington)
• Absence for personal business or vacation
• Scheduled to work 11 of the 13 hours the polls are open (includes commuting)
• Political party or candidate representatives assigned to work inside the polls at polling locations different from their own
• Firefighters and first responder personnel
• Religious obligations
• Unable to go to the polls because of illness, disability, or pregnancy
• Caretakers of confined family members
• Confinement in a correctional facility for a misdemeanor or while awaiting trial
• Active duty uniformed services personnel and their dependents
• Persons residing outside the U.S. and their dependents [top]

 When can I apply for an absentee ballot?
You can apply as early as twelve months before an election. If you apply by mail or fax, the registrar must receive your application by 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election in order to mail you a ballot. If you apply to vote absentee in person at the registrar's office, you must complete the application and vote your ballot by 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday before the election. [top]

 How do I get a ballot mailed to me?
Download the application or contact the Office of Voter Registration (703.228.3456 or by email) and request an application. Complete the application by indicating the reason you need an absentee ballot and the address to which you want the ballot mailed. Complete your residence (Arlington) address where indicated, and sign and date your application. If you have moved recently but haven't updated your registration address, please also complete the change of address section on the reverse of the form.

Return the application by mail or fax (703.228.3705) to the Office of Voter Registration. We must receive your application by no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election date in order to be able to mail a ballot to you. [top]

 When will I receive my ballot?
Ballots are mailed beginning approximately 45 days prior to the election date. If ballots are available, we will mail your ballot the next business day after we receive your application. [top]

 How do I mark and return the ballot?
In your ballot envelope will be ballot instructions; a sealed envelope containing the actual ballot; an envelope in which the ballot will be sealed after you mark your vote; and a pre-addressed envelope to return the marked ballot to us.

You must open the sealed ballot envelope and mark your ballot in the presence of a witness. After you have voted the ballot, place the ballot in the Marked Ballot envelope, and seal the envelope. Complete the oath or affirmation information printed on the envelope, and both you and your witness must sign the envelope. Place the Marked Ballot envelope in the pre-addressed return envelope, affix first class postage, and mail your ballot back to the Electoral Board office. You can also return your ballot via express mail or commercial courier, at your expense.

We must receive your absentee ballot by no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day in order for it to be counted. [top]

 I've heard about in-person absentee voting. How does that work?
In-person absentee voting works similarly to mail-in voting, except you actually vote on a voting machine like the ones used in the polling places. In-person voting is available at the Office of Voter Registration approximately 45 days prior to the election date. To apply, visit the office during office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and on special hours in the evenings and on Saturdays as scheduled (call 703.228.3456 or see our Absentee Voting Page for details).

You will be asked to complete an absentee ballot application, just as if you were having the ballot mailed to you. In-person absentee voters are also required to show appropriate identification, which includes your valid voter registration card or Virginia driver's license. The office staff will verify your voter registration record, then direct you to a voting machine, where you will vote a ballot exactly like the one in your polling place on Election Day. In-person absentee voting ends at 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday before the election. [top]

 What if I am hospitalized or called out of town before the election but after the absentee ballot deadline?
Virginia law allows persons hospitalized to vote by emergency ballot as late as the Monday before the election. You must designate a representative to pick up and return your absentee ballot application and ballot by no later than 2:00 p.m. on the Monday before the election.

Persons called out of town for business purposes or due to the death or hospitalization of a family member after noon on the Saturday before the election may present themselves to vote at the Office of Voter Registration by no later than 2:00 p.m. on the Monday before the election.

Please call 703.228.3456 for more details. [top]

 What if I am living overseas?
Current or former Arlington residents residing overseas either temporarily or permanently are eligible to vote in all federal elections, and may also be eligible to vote in state or local elections. Please visit our Absentee Voting Page or call 703.228.3456 for details. [top]